This is

CVS, I in the world. I'm John Bachelor.

Michael Berenstam of the Hoover Institution is traveling.

He's in Milano.

However, he's here to help me understand the Russian

economy. It is mysterious not only because it's non-transparent to me, but also because there are statements that need many interpretations.

And right now we begin with the statement earlier from Bloomberg.

Russia has reportedly asked Kazakhstan to supply it with petrol as Ukrainian attacks on its refineries

forced it to import gasoline.

Kazakhstan has been asked to set up a reserve 100,000 tons of gasoline, equivalent to 845,000 barrels to supply Russia,

should shortages arise.

Michael, a very good evening to you.

You can interpret these remarks because they confuse me.

Good evening to you.

Good evening to you.

The Russians did not actually request the supply of Kazakhstan

refined fuel.

They applied to Kazakhstan, asking,

would you do it if we have dire circumstances

if we need to? so it was kind of a preliminary

filler.

Kazakhstan did not deny the Kazakhstan government stated officially that they never received this request, they never considered this request,

...